Thursday, November 5, 2009

Random Acts of Thursday - A Rose by Any Other Name

Even when it's a Gypsy Rose.
Because these are random acts, I can't explain what gripped me to think of the late Marion Morrison recently, any more than I normally would. But of course, this is how my mind works, I'm sure it came up when nobody ventured a guess at the quiz from two weeks ago.
I'm sulking, sorry.

Anyhow, over the years, many of our famous faces have chosen to change their names before achieving stardom. Of course, others have changed their names as well, but Google has failed to provide any insight as to the Milwaukee restaurant murder from my youth that became such a big deal when the Catholic church refused to allow the victim to be buried after his name change came to light.

Your task today is to match the original with the notable. I gave you one, only 16 more to match up.

The Original:

1 - Marion Morrison
2 - Chaim Witz
3 - Paul Hewson
4 - Jerome Silberman
5 - Charles Holley
6 - Paul Francis Gadd
7 - Archibald Leach
8 - Marvin Lee Aday
9 - Reginald Dwight
10 - Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus
11 - Francis Castelluccio
12 - Gordon Sumner
13 - Arnold Dorsey
14 - Erich Weiss
15 - Henry John Deutchendorf Jr
16 - Volodymyr Palahniuk
17 - Richard Starkey

The Notable:

A - Buddy Holly
B - Elton John
C - Engelbert Humperdink
D - Jack Palance
E - Sting
F - Harry Houdini
G - Meatloaf
H - Gene Simmons
I - Gene Wilder
J - Frankie Valli
K - Ringo Starr
L - John Wayne
M - Gary Glitter
N - Elvis Costello
O - Bono
P - John Denver
Q - Cary Grant

Extra Credit: Two of these famous people are from my glorious home state of Wisconsin. Which ones?
And if you really just can't stand it, click here. Just know that I'm very disappointed in you.

8 comments:

MJenks said...

Without looking them up, I know number one is John Wayne, 4 is Gene Wilder, 9 is Elton John and 12 is Sting.

Gene Wilder is from Milwaukee.

Elliott said...

Since I grade on a curve, you're winning so far...especially by rocking the extra credit!

MJenks said...

Ugh. I knew number 2 and number five, too. I looked them up, so I won't ruin the surprise for others and refuse to take the credit that google deserves.

Gene Wilder's autobiography is one of the best biographies I've ever read.

Bev said...

Let me preface these guesses by saying that I really have no fraking clue, nor do I have the energy to Google/cheat. So there.

2. Gene Simmons
3. Bono
6. Ringo
11. Frankie Valli
12. Sting
15. John Denver

Sorry! Wish I had more chutzpah today.

carissajaded said...

I only know one!Meatloaf= Martin Aday

I suck at life!

Elliott said...

Knowing that one is almost a requirement for continued residence in the Lone Star state, isn't it?

That, and being able and willing to finish the following sentence no matter where you are: "The stars at night, are big and bright..."

Mike Speegle said...

B-9
E-12
J-11
K-17
L-1
O-3
Q-7

It's all were were able to come up with here in Vegas without Google cheating.

Bev said...

*clap clap clap clap* Deep in the heaaaaaart of Texas!

And the closest I've ever come to the Lone Star state is loving Bill Pullman in "Space Balls."

Be nice and share!

Bookmark and Share